New sidewalk sales idea: Sell through the fence

  In the small town of Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, Marilyn Pope Francis ran a restaurant with a fenced patio for tables and chairs. She set up hot serving dishes and a cold drinks station in the gazebo to serve customers. Here’s the part where we learn that Marilyn is a low-key business genius. Next to […]

Marilyn, wearing shorts, explains her genius idea to sell to sidewalk customers while also serving customers on her patio. Listening are Verona Thibault, left, and Colton Foote, wearing hat. Photo by Becky McCray.

In the small town of Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, Marilyn Pope Francis ran a restaurant with a fenced patio for tables and chairs. She set up hot serving dishes and a cold drinks station in the gazebo to serve customers.

Here’s the part where we learn that Marilyn is a low-key business genius.

Next to the gazebo, she made openings in the fence that fold out. Then she could sell to people on the sidewalk while also serving customers on the patio.

I have NEVER seen anyone else do that. It’s simple and brilliant.

Perfect for small town events

Small town businesses often don’t have a large staff just to handle special events like festivals. Marilyn could stand in one spot and serve two different groups of customers.

Photo explanation

In the picture, the darker area at the top of the fence is actually the two doors that fold out so she could serve the sidewalk. You can see the roof of the gazebo sitting just inside the fence.

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